This week, AC Milan will prepare for the Derby della Madonnina, and whilst the title may not be possible, there is pride on the line.
In recent weeks, Milan have shot themselves in the foot in the Scudetto race. You can even take this back over the course of the season. The opening day defeat to Cremonese, three points there and another three on Sunday would reduce the gap to four….
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Of course, the more painful fall has been the recent one, but the signs of a drop-off have been present for much longer, unfortunately.
Despite the dream of the title fading, the squad have made a pact within themselves to continue at Scudetto pace, to ensure that if the Nerazzurri slip, they will be there.
Albertini’s pre-derby analysis
Ahead of the game, comments from Rafael Leao have been focused on, understandably, given he is one of the more senior players at the club, and Demetrio Albertini has commented on the Portuguese’s statements to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Is Leao right, then, to talk about a “matter of life or death” and to take the derby “personally”?
“In my day, there wasn’t even a need for such reminders. On one side, we had Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta… On the other, there were Bergomi, Ferri, Berti, just to name a few. These weren’t people who needed to be explained the significance of the derby with public statements.
“Today, with so many more foreigners and squads that change more frequently, I think Leao wanted to warn his teammates, especially the new arrivals, of the importance of a match like this. Rafa has been at Milan for almost seven years now, and rightly so, he spoke as a veteran.”
He also advised not to go out in the evening, because it’s a special week…
“Well, that should always be the foundation for a professional, not just in the days leading up to the derby [he laughs]. Maybe Leao didn’t use all the words correctly, but I agree with his underlying message: in a derby you bring a sense of belonging to the pitch, the history of a club, even of those who were there before you in that shirt.”
Is the week leading up to Milan-Inter special?
“For me, it wasn’t in training, precisely because a professional, also out of respect for the coach and his teammates, always maintains certain standards, week after week. What’s really different is the surroundings. The fans, the city… You feel it.”
So, no special preparation is needed?
“If we’re talking about training sessions at Milanello and tactics, I really don’t think Massimiliano Allegri will treat the derby any differently than, for example, he did last week before Cremonese. Or than he will before facing Napoli and Juventus.
“Milan-Inter is always a football match with twenty-two men on the pitch. The extra, rather, is on the emotional side, because it’s a match of emotion.”
Football-wise, is it really a matter of life or death for Milan, at least if we limit ourselves to the Scudetto?
“Well, it’s the final call. If Inter win on Sunday, they can already start sewing the Scudetto on their chest and preparing the celebrations. That’s why I think the match is much more important for Milan than for Chivu’s team.”
And if the Devils won, would the championship be reopened?
“Not for me, because seven points to make up would still be a lot, especially with this Inter team that’s cruising along at full speed in Serie A. However, the Nerazzurri should be careful not to slip up. And in football, never say never: I won a Scudetto from seven points down with seven games to go in 1998-99, coming from behind to defeat a great Lazio side.
“We won them all, they lost two in a row to Roma and Juventus, and then on the penultimate matchday we made the decisive overtaking.”
His last derby goal dates back to that season: Milan-Inter 2-2 in the first leg.
“Good times. The derbies of the past, as I said, were different. With so many Italians, you could feel the healthy rivalry on the pitch.”
One might say that the only thing that’s remained the same is the unpredictability: back then, you drew both the first and second legs despite winning the Scudetto and keeping Inter 24 points behind…
“Absolutely. Let’s take the last six derbies: Milan have practically always been the underdogs, but they’ve won four and drawn two. The derby defies the normal rankings logic.”
Today, Milan are second, despite having the same number of points (57) after 27 games as Conte’s Napoli last year or Pioli’s last Scudetto with the Rossoneri.
“Allegri has been able to inject a certain level of confidence into the team, as well as tactical and mental solidity. One aspect, however, intrigues me: Milan perform much better in the second half than in the first 45 minutes.”
Is there a specific strategy behind it?
“From the outside, I couldn’t say. It’s definitely also a question of a winning mentality: it can’t be a coincidence that the Rossoneri often find goals late in matches, as happened in Cremona on Sunday.”
Some critics believe it’s also due to Allegri’s excessive caution and are calling for a change in formation, switching to a 4-3-3—like the one used at the end against Cremonese—right from the start. Do you agree?
“I don’t want to judge the work of a professional like Max from the outside. It was known from the start that his first mission would be to find a certain balance, and I truly believe he’s succeeded.
“I wouldn’t even make it a question of formations, but rather of interpreting the roles and characteristics of the players. Now we talk about 4-3-3, but Milan plays with a 3-5-2, just like Inter, who are top of the table and clearly have the best attack in Serie A.
“What really changes? If in the starting five I have a player with exceptional attacking skills like Dimarco, for example…”
Speaking of goals, why doesn’t Pulisic score anymore?
“It happens to strikers. He had an extraordinary first half of the season, and now he’s doing poorly. I wouldn’t worry too much.”
